Another doctor says infection killed boy

TROY - The battle of medical testimony continued Friday in the murder trial of Adrian Thomas as another doctor took the witness stand.

Jan Edward Leestma, a specialist in pathology and neuropathology from Chicago, testified that 4-month-old Matthew Thomas likely died as a result of bacterial infection and coagulopathy, a lack of proper blood clotting which could have caused abnormal bleeding in various parts of the boy's body.

Thomas, 27, was charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly slammed the infant down on a bed from shoulder height on three separate occasions prior to the development of the boy's respiratory problems and ultimate death in late September of 2008.

Public defender Ingrid Effman has maintained throughout the trial that the infant's death was more likely caused by a pre-existing medical condition known as septicemia, where bacteria in the blood can cause a shutdown of the body's organs.

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After questioning him extensively about his credentials and education, Effman asked what Leestma believed was the explanation for the infant's blood pressure and white blood cell count dropping during his final hospital stay.

Leestma testified that the symptoms were likely related to shock caused by bacterial infection as the boys systems shut down.

She also asked what his opinion was on the boy's cause of death.

"I would say the effects of bacterial infection in the form of sepsis ... and complications of coagulopathy," said Leestma.

Leestma went on to show the jury a presentation of slide images from a CT scan and microscopic samples taken from the boy's blood, as well as heart and lung tissues, identifying the presence of bacteria and abnormal bleeding as he went along.

"There's a cause of death sitting right there looking at you," he said.

Leestma also testified that because of the pattern of bruising on the infant's skull, beneath the skin, he doubted it was the result of an impact on a mattress, saying that would not be enough force to cause a subdural haematoma.

"I'm doubtful if this is a force impact site," said Leestma.

Assistant District Attorney Christa Book objected to Leestma testifying at all because he is not a board-certified forensic pathologist, who deals regularly with cases in the coroner's office, has not regularly signed off on death certificates in a number of years, and was not an expert on children's injuries or pediatric infectious diseases.